Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-06

assessment in the State nearly
all of it is found in the
southern counties. Los Angeles bears
the brunt of the burden, but over
eighty per cent. of it is made up in
the lower end of the State. If it
comes down to the support of the new
State Government, Los Angeles
county is paying nearly half million
of dollars for the support of the pres
ent State, and only little more than
one-tifth of that amount is returned
here. This county's tax would al
most support a State Government.
The Aha in a recent issue calls at
tention to the fact that at the present
ratio of growth in population the
southern counties will in a very short
time have sufficient majority to de-
mand State Division. In that event
we might develop q strain OF mean
ness, learned from the present atti-
tude of our northern neighbors, and
spitefully hold on to them, max
ing them bob to the tail
of our kite, as they so long
used us. The last election brought to
light the fact that nearly all the in
crease of population in California has
been in the counties lying below a
line drawn across the northern boun-
Diary of Monterey and Fresno. That
would be about the line of demarka-
ton between the two States to be
carved out of the old one. San Be-
nito would in all probability
elect to come to us. as her interest are
with the South.
That the Federal Government will
smile kindly on any such scheme Of
division there is no doubt. That is
right in the line OF policy pursued by
our Government from the beginning.
In fact it is one of the fundamental
principles of Republican-Democratic
doctrine. Home Rule is Of
American origin, Local Auton-
omy is the very essence
OF our constitution. When Maine
formed State, separating from Mas
sachusetts, the federation of States
through their Central Government, at
once held out the right hand of fellow
ship to welcome the new accession to
the sisterhood of States. When
Texas was admitted with her vast
territory with wise provision, and a
kindly feeling toward the principle of
State multiplication, there was incor-
porated in the organic law a clause
permitting the segregation of the
Lone Star State into four Common
wealths. Virginia was divided as
war measure, but even that serves to
show that our system of government
favors rather than opposes State
division.
As to the sentiment, strong no
doubt in the minds of old-timers,
touching the integrity Of the great
State of California-that is only a
myth, a mere sentiment. There is
nothing in it, and the newcomers
who really rule in these matters in
the latter days, take no stock in it..
They do not feel that sentiment, and
they will not be led by it.
When to all this is added the funda-
mental principles on which State di-
vision may be claimed as right, the
argument is overwhelming. These
have been too often elaborated in
these columns to claim more than a
reference at this TYNE. Irrigation is
one of the elements Of civilization,
development, legislation,-one OF the
elements of existence here-so at
yarience with the interests of the
North, that to state the propo-
sition is to close the mat
ter against all reasonable argu-
ment. Our harbors is another. San
Francisco will oppose our develop
ment of shipping facilities in the
South, Just as Sacramento and Oak
land will oppose all propositions for
irrigation. The Federal Government
is bound to take cognizance of these
necessities of our case, and to give us
the only relief to be had-a new State,
wherein we may legislate for our
.ol,,o, Il x,,.I1 ha Ionn